More '04 Redux?--Peter

Well, Jenn: Last night I said the last time the Stripes hurt us as bad as they did last night was the last game they ended up winning in 2004(recalled our conversation after the 19-7 abortion in game three)--before our historic never duplicated comeback from 0-3 to win that series and then later The Series. I also said this was a great opportunity to start another return from the dead (or near dead--your choice, Jenn). Today, their newest pitcher, an amateur last year, Tazawa, led them to a 14-1 win over Mr. Hankie's Yankees. He gave us six innings of shutout ball, and stranded every runner they put on while he was on the mound. The only run those guys managed to get was a homer by Swisher off Bard, further concern for Bard's pitching. I mean, the guy flames them by at 100 mph, but with absolutely no movement on the ball. Compare his heater to JB's at 95-96, where it not only moves by the batter, but also has unbelievable sideways or vertical motion at the last second as well. Saw him on some replays a couple of weeks ago, and I'm thinking the only guy who hits that stuff is Teddy Ballgame--absolutely awesome!

Today's game started against the Yankee's acquisition obtained just because he has a history of beating the Hose--Burnett. Not today, Baby. Three zip after one, seven after two, and you can tell the rest! Yoouuukk contributed, including a three run yard shot, and Papi continued his latest return from Zombieland with another HR and an RBI double, now at 73 for the year. Today, in fact, was the Sox' 39th homer for August, a team record. It was also the day of eights for the Sox: 8th consecutive multi-homer game, a team record and 8th straight 20 homer season by Papi. The man could just get 30 again, and wouldn't THAT be a welcome event!
One final note of encouragement: the staff looks like it MAY be coming back to pre-season hopes with a slight difference in personalities. Wake's due back next week; Dice-K's lost 15 pounds, in great shape and tentatively scheduled to start on September 8, and now Tazawa has two good starts in a row and Bucky's looking like he did in his first year. Maybeeee....